nothing on that point--but what an investigation will disclose how
groundless the charges are."

"You are an owner in Northern Consolidated?" asked Richard.

Richard felt no interest beyond a willingness to be of service to
Senator Hanway, and only put the question to show attention to his
eminent friend.

"No, no owner," replied Senator Hanway; "but to be frank, since I know
my confidence is safe, it will assist me in a certain political matter
the name of which I think you can guess."

Senator Hanway's smooth face wore a smile which he intended should prove
that he looked upon Richard as one possessing a rightful as well as an
intimate knowledge of those White House plans which he cherished.
Richard did not require the assurance; he was ready without it to come
to the aid of Senator Hanway, whom he liked if he did not revere.

The next evening Richard's letter carried the story against Northern
Consolidated. The afternoon of the day on which it was published,
Senator Hanway arose in his place and requested that the article be read
by the clerk. That done, he said he was pained and surprised by the
publication of such a story, and asked for a committee of three to look
into the truth of what was set forth.

"For," observed Senator Hanway, after paying a tribute to Richard and
the _Daily Tory_, in which he extolled the honesty and intelligent
conservatism of both the paper and its correspondent, "for it is only
justice that the charges be sifted. The _Daily Tory_ does not make them